Financial abuse can take many forms, from denying you access to funds, to making you solely responsible for all finances while handling money irresponsibly. Money becomes a tool by which the abuser can further control the victim, ensuring either financial dependence, or shifting the responsibility of keeping a roof over the family’s head onto the victim while simultaneously denying your ability to do so or obstructing you.

Financial abuse can include the following:

·       Preventing you from getting or keeping a job

·        Denying you sufficient money to live on

·        Having to account for every penny spent

·        Denying access to cheque book/account/finances

·        Putting all bills in your name

·        Threatening to force you out of the house and make you homeless and destitute

·        Withholding information about welfare benefits

·        Demanding your wages/benefits

·        Spending the money allocated to bills/groceries on other things

·        Forcing you to beg or commit crimes for money

·        Not permitting you to spend available money on yourself or children

·        Making you give up your savings

·        Not working themselves but forcing you to work to pay for everything

Financial abuse can have serious and long term effects. Victims can become trapped in a cycle of poverty. They can experience physical and psychological ill health and isolation and feel that they can’t escape from the abusive relationship.